Boost memory and cognitive skills by finding a little peace while on the go

You don't need to spend long chunks of time in silence to reap the benefits of meditation: A recent study found that people who meditated for 20 minutes a day had significant improvement in their memory and cognitive skills after four days. Some experts say that even 5 to 10 minutes daily can help keep stress in check. Can't spare any extra time? Try weaving meditation into other daily activities.

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While in the shower or washing dishes: Use the time to focus on your breathing while thinking about how soothing the warm water or soapy lather feels on your skin, says Jonathan Kaplan, PhD, clinical psychologist and author of Urban Mindfulness.

While waiting to pick up your kids from school: Listen to the guided breathing patterns and calming sounds (such as ocean waves) of the myMeditation app (for iPhone and iPod Touch; $2.99). They'll help you achieve a meditative state in as little as 3 minutes.

While eating lunch or dinner: Before you dig into your meal, sit down, close your eyes and take several deep breaths—then open your eyes and look at the food in front of you, suggests Claire Wheeler, MD, PhD, author of 10 Simple Solutions to Stress. Notice the smells and start to chew slowly. This will not only help calm your mind but also prevent overeating, because you're less likely to wolf down your food once you're relaxed.